Hello all,
At the company that I work for, I have traditionally been stationed in the office, so I could always use my desktop computer for web access and e-mail, etc. But as of late with the difficulties with the economy, I have had to be more flexible with my job duties which often include me being outside of the office for extended periods of time. With that being said, I have found it difficult to maintain my traditional office duties being away from e-mail and web access for so long.
Anyway, I have been contemplating purchasing a smartphone to help me out. What is the best smartphone for use by surveyors?
Thanks,
iPhone!
I have the droid 2...which I love.
I've heard the Droid Bionic is the bomb though..
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> Anyway, I have been contemplating purchasing a smartphone to help me out. What is the best smartphone for use by surveyors?
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> Thanks,
As with most answers having to do with survey issues, the answer is "it depends".
Who is your wireless provider, this is the main thing. I am with US Cellular, and love their service and customer service. So, even though Keith says "iPhone" like everyone in the world has AT&T or Verizon, the iPhone is not available to me. If you like your wireless provider, see what kind of Smartphones that they have available. I have a Blackberry Tour, and it does what I need it to do (email [gmail], facebook, mobile web, etc.) but the Tour does not have wi-fi, so I can't tether it to another device for wi-fi service. Besides the iPhone, the next most common smartphone seems to be anything with an Android (droid) operating system or family of phone. Next is the Blackberry, and then you still have the Windows mobile based units.
Good luck, no matter what you get, it will basically outdated tomorrow. 😉
Carl
If you have serious emailing and research to do on the road, I've heard you can add an IPAD to your cell plan for as little as $20/mo for 1GB of data, it goes up from there. If you work mostly in an urban/populated area (like me), I have a WIFI Ipad (no monthly charge), and I make it a point of having lunch at a place that has free WIFI (like McD's). I can also just pull into a McD parking lot for an email update. The Ipad is nice because it's like a mini laptop. It even has an free AutoCAD viewer ap that's pretty good. Just a thought ...
The one you can root! I use the droid x2 and like its big screen, which has enabled me to pull up ngs sheets and watch netfljx until the rain passes. Be sure to look at the contracts though and read about the phones, some such as mine are data hogs so if going with verizon be aware of that.
I'm partial to the Droid phones.
I had the original Droid (with the physical keyboard), then the Verizon iPhone, and now the Droid 3. The Droid 3 is by far my favorite...it has a physical keyboard with a dedicated # pad- that's huge for texting crews coordinates and whatnot. Also all the newer Droid phones have a built-in wireless hotspot (I think the Verizon iPhone does too). This is handy for connecting to our Trimble VRS network, or downloading files from a laptop while in the field. Sometimes it's not possible/convenient to "borrow" a neighbor's WiFi.
Good Luck to you.
Hey Cary! How ya been?!
iPhone for me.
Get the best, the latest and greatest technology out there.
In 6 months, repeat.
:coffee: :clock:
Hey Darrell. Not to bad. Although I have to be in more places at one time than I used to be. Some days I wish we were back at the college rec-room playing pool again. Ahhh.. the good old days.
iPhone does have the best touch screen I've been told. However, remember it is somewhat limited. You cannot just have someone email you a simple ASCII file via email, then copy it to your data collector. In fact getting it transferred can be difficult without "jail breaking" your phone. Email works great on the iPhone. Phone works even better.
Sent to you from my iPhone 😉
This is by far the best
I like this bad boy... When you forget your sledge hammer don't worry just pick up the phone.... It fits very nicely in a hub bag too...
love that hp85
love that hp85 -- wrote survey sw for it 30 years ago! 🙂
For what you're proposing, I'd think a small tough-book with an air-card is better.
I love the iphone, but you can't make apple pie with a sack full of oranges. The tough book will fit into the vest pouch and then you have a computer at your fingertips.
I've had an HTC Touch Pro 2 with Sprint for several years and have been quite pleased with it. The OS is WinMobile 6.5 which is compatible with my TDS Ranger. And, yes, it does run TDS software as well as Topcon TopSURV software. I can bluetooth my HiperXT's and can run off the State VRS through the phone's internet connection just fine. Using the phone as a data collector is actually faster and easier than the Ranger. I wouldn't recommend it full time, as I prefer to use the Ranger because of screen size. But, it works in a pinch. The WiFi hotspot features have been a lifesaver for communication in the field.
My HTC is on its last leg as the touch screen went out a couple days ago (thankfully, it has a slide-out keypad). I'm getting a replacement tomorrow. I don't want to upgrade to WinMobile 7 or 8, so it's time to make the big switch. I've decided to go with the Motorola Photon, an Android OS.
I've been hesitant to switch to Android due to the loss of compatibility. I'm also hesitant because of the complexity of syncing Outlook calendar and contacts. I figure that I'll be able to work through it. Guess I'll find out tomorrow.
JBS
The Droid also has a 'pin finder' app!!!
I have the Blackberry Torch and Playbook. I load all my maps and documents on the Playbook. The Playbook has word and excel on it so I can do proposals and cutsheets out in the field. I can bluetooth tether the data collector to the phone so I can send daily field work back to the office and receive files to load up on the d.c. I can also use the phone tethered to the d.c. and use local vrs. Plus I can talk on the phone while it is still receiving data on the vrs. I am very happy with the purchase. Just giving my 2 cents.